In his virtual tour of Waterford Treasures on WLR’s Big Breakfast Blaa, Eamonn McEneaney tells Ollie and Mary all about Waterford's connection with the early tea trade of the 17th and 18th century. The 18th century trade in armorial porcelain was a by-product of the trade in tea from China, a beverage that became very fashionable after 1660 when Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II, 8776 popularised the drink among the ruling class in both England and Ireland.
Tea was a luxury - an expensive item - so the early porcelain tea cups were extraordinarily small. The early tea cups were without handles in the Chinese fashion. Leaf tea was so valued that it was stored by the lady of the house in a locked silver tea canister to prevent the servants from helping themselves to the rare and much sought after beverage. ‘Tea for the classes, buttermilk for the masses.’
If you enjoy Eamonn’s slots with us on The Big Breakfast Blaa, listen here to what he had to say about a rare collection of statues of the Virgin Mary and Child dating from the 12th century.
And below is his chat with us about about Waterford's connection with the early tea trade of the 17th and 18th century.
